Creating the world you want to see isn’t easy, there will always be people like you (talented, motivated, and helpful) willing to foster positivity and extend a hand for career and personal goals.
Happy Hispanic Heritage month! This past May, Catsup writer jessika cesilia met up with Ring of Color founder Melissa Polanco, a business owner (CEO) and licensed counselor of Dominican descent working and living in southwest Michigan.
Melissa Polanco’s Ring of Color beauty and lifestyle brand focuses on empowering makeup lovers and making sure under/misrepresented groups such as introverts, women, and people of color feel welcome to express themselves in everyday life through elevated confidence and their lip product(s) of choice.
Using her bilingual English and Spanish skills, Melissa P. shares career, product, and life updates with lighthearted videos on her public profile and Ring of Color’s Instagram account.
Introduced earlier this year, the Color Me Confident series by Ring of Color has featured other local Latine business owners such as Yolanda Lopez-Haugabook from YoFit, public speaker Yvonne Armenta, and OCOA Beauty curl entrepreneur Nicol Varona Cancelmo.
Ring of Color invites makeup enthusiasts into, “A world of beauty for everyone to embrace their true colors.” As a Latina founded company, ROC is more than a brand but a representation of a community built on spreading positivity outside of their products to anyone who might enjoy the message (and hopefully shop Ring of Color the next time their fav lippie runs out).
ROC’s Melissa shares her own confidence journey and how she’s working towards her goals while cultivating community beyond her consumers, alongside the ‘competition’.
Interview with Entrepreneur Melissa Polanco of Ring of Color
A conversation about confidence and careers
[Audio transcript from a very rainy May 2024 when Melissa met me, JCP, for coffee. It was rainy in a kind of way that makes a dog go under a kitchen table and seek protection under your kneecaps.]
JCP: Thank you for meeting with me today! I have a lot of questions about yourself, as a business owner, and Ring of Color, of course.
So what or who were your motivators when it came to seeing Ring of Color through from concept, through production, to now? You’re an established makeup brand! I first met you at the “Colors of the Community” event like exactly one year ago and I was very happy to see, y’know, a Latin woman owned beauty brand that’s out here [near Grand Rapids, MI]. So how has the last year been for you?
Maintaining inspiration to make it work
Melissa: It’s been good. Like you know, running any small business …It always has its ups and downs. But it’s been good so far. You know I had some opportunities come up and I’m really thankful for those. Just meeting people and the love and support from other people, that’s kind of what drives me and helps me so it’s been good.
JCP: Have they [motivators] changed at all? Do you still have the same ambition from the beginning?
Melissa: It changed a little bit. When I first started, I don’t know if you followed from the beginning or not, but when I first started, it [ROC] was under a different name and it was Ella’s Eve Cosmetics with my sister. And then two years ago I had rebranded into Ring of Color. So now, my target, the people that I wanna help the most—is introverted people like myself because I don’t think there’s any brands that target introverted people or talk about introversion more—or the misconceptions of introverted souls.
My audience is now people who are shy and reserved and new to makeup and want to make their confidence higher than what it is.
And just, you know, empower other women.
Why lipstick? Bringing power and attention to your voice
JCP: Is that why the focus is on the lips, do you think?
Melissa: Yeah so the focus is on the lips because I’m obsessed with lipstick.
[We both laugh.]
Melissa: [Still laughing] It’s just like the easiest thing to do at least for now when it comes to developing products. And it’s just fun, right? Because when you are talking to somebody sometimes what you look at first—you either look at the eyes or the lips for some reason.
But that’s my focus and I feel like with lipstick you can just like play it off: if you want to go sheer or you want to go with a little bit of color it’s just like your personality and sometimes when you wear a lipstick it just says something about you it just gives you a little oomph.
Like when you’re wearing like a red lipstick… I don’t wear red lipstick that often—but when I do—it just makes me feel a certain type of way. That’s why the lipsticks.
What is an introverted soul?
JCP: You mentioned an introverted soul. Can you explain a little bit of what you mean by that?
Melissa: ‘Soul’ to be inclusive with people.
JCP: Cause I’ve heard, like, an introvert, but I’m not familiar with introverted souls.
M: So you know… Sometimes people are either a mix of introvert and extroverted or they just… As you grow older, you always develop, right? You learn from your mistakes, you learn from whatever life throws at you and your personality sometimes changes—but not for the bad, for the better. So I’ve always been super, super reserved and quiet when I was growing up, and then as I got older, and the experiences that got—good and bad—made me who I am right now. Like 80% of the time I’m still introverted. But I speak up a little bit more now and so I’ve changed a little. [She receives her drink order.] Thank you.
[Melissa sticks a straw in her café drink.]
M: So that’s why I say soul; ’cause everybody changes a little bit at least in your lifetime, right?
JCP: Thank you! [Midwest accent] No, that makes a lot of sense and I really love that I think that I would say that that pertains to me also as an introvert. As you know, you learn you grow, you develop your personality—it doesn’t stay the same as it was ten years ago… people learn to develop their voice. I want to ask you, as an introverted business owner, do you find yourself adapting, following different advice, or,
How do you stay true to your introverted soul while still growing as a business? I guess is my question.
Melissa: I think one thing that people like when it comes to small business or indie beauty brands what people like to know is, Who’s the person behind the brand? And I think just being true to myself—just being me—it’s how I feel like I need to run the business. I just want to be truthful; I don’t want to pretend that I’m somebody else. I see that sometimes. And sometimes other people insinuate for me to change because I guess the personality or whatever I come across as is too “goody-goody” or something but it’s like, I’m not gonna change who I am or like, create drama, you know? Like, I’m not the type of person. I’m not gonna be that kind of brand or that kind of face for the brand; I just feel like being me is how I want to portray the brand.
Shifting towards clean ingredients
JCP: So something that immediately drew me in other than being like, woman owned, Latina owned, is that it’s vegan and cruelty free. Was that a ‘pillar’ that you saw from the beginning/was it something that happened along the way? Because that’s where the industry has been going.
Melissa: So the not all of our products are vegan. We have five products (at the time of interview) and two of them are vegan. But the goal is to go into more of a clean beauty because, yes, there are a lot of things that are not good for you, right? But cruelty free has always been my number one top priority. I don’t want any products that are tested on animals. That’s just not right; that’s always been one of my missions.
On creating a lasting community beyond social media conventions
JCP: What other foundational things [besides being cruelty free] has your brand, like, ‘hit the target’. [Congratulating Melissa] Like, you’re established as a brand. Anything else that you’ve envisioned for Ring of Color that you’re like Oh, checkmark—I was able to do that.
Melissa: I want to create a community.
Through intentional inclusion, Ring of Color’s social media promotes their $13–23 USD individually priced lip products. Ring of Color is a part of makeup enthusiasts’ confidence routine across different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. ROC’s social media regularly shares looks/makeup applications from other creators.
M: Like I feel like, I want to be able to showcase people for who they are. If you look at other brands, like some of them are like for the aesthetics of the pictures of the brand. Everybody’s like, model-looking. We don’t look like that. *Not all of us look like that. Yes, there are women that look like that [models], but we don’t all look like that. So I want to be able to just create a community of people that it’s okay to be who you are. and just accept who you are and just embrace your beauty cause everybody’s different that makes everybody beautiful, right? So community is something that I really want to build when it comes to the brand as well.
JCP: Yeah! Like I met you at a networking event for a community event for people of color. What other pop ups has Ring of Color been in, and do you have any future ones scheduled this summer?
Melissa: The last one that I did was back in February and it was with the West Michigan Latina group and that was for Valentine’s Day. That was the most recent one. I don’t have anything planned yet because sometimes I have to be like, on the lookout. Or sometimes people will share stuff with me and that’s how I know. But yeah the plan is to continue to do more pop ups, continue to do more awareness, and continue the community aspect of it.
Influencing herself
JCP: When creating a makeup brand, did you have a young Melissa in mind?
Melissa: That’s a good question. Let me think about that. Because…I would say that, yes, I would say yes. Because one of the things that I struggled with growing up was with confidence. And just accepting myself for who I am. I was insecure about my little mark over here. [Melissa points towards one of her cheeks.] So yes part of the brand and the reason why, was because I fell in love with makeup in my early twenties.
Yes, because it was through makeup…. I would play with makeup all the time. Not a lot, but most of the time, yeah. It was through makeup that I learned to accept who I am; like I stopped covering my little mark [she points towards a cheek]. It was just like, Why am I doing this? So yeah there was a ‘little me’ when I was envisioning something for the brand because I wanted to make people feel the same way that I felt. Because sometimes people think that people that wear makeup are insecure. Which is… maybe…? But not entirely. Ninety percent of the time, that’s not the right answer. Sometimes people just like to wear makeup ’cause it’s fun or it just makes you feel a little bit better. But at the end of the day, that’s how I started: yes, covering something that was making me insecure but later on more like embracing it, right? So there was a little Melissa when I was creating the brand.
Melissa’s style evolution over the years
JCP: How would you say your makeup preference or style has changed from being little Melissa to now? Or, would a little Melissa reach for your product line?
M: I feel like lately I’ve been wearing less makeup. Before it would be more like, a lot of foundation or whatever. But now it’s more light, you know? I used to play a lot with eyeshadow. Now I’m more like…just a little bit of brown on the top. Just to give me a little bit of color but it’s not like I’m intending to be wow-glam all the time. I’m more, like, natural—makeup-no-makeup look people call it. But playing with makeup is fun regardless!
JCP: Thank you. You shared about your makeup routine—your preferences, Can I learn a little bit about your fashion? [When it comes to confidence]Does your outfit play a part of that as well?
Confidence and comfort
Melissa: I’m more comfy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen myself as someone who’s fashionable. Like I think there were times that I would be looking at celebrities and stuff like that and I would be like, ‘Oh, that’s cute. I wish I could dress like that’, sometimes like mimic it a little bit. But I really don’t really follow fashion that way. I like buying a lot of bags. So I have a big collection of bags and high heel shoes because it was during that time when I wanted to dress more like, casual-like cute. But lately it’s been more like sweatshirts and comfy pants and like hoodies and tennis shoes. I don’t know, I think I’m in my lazy era [laughs].
JCP: [Transcribing this interview in pajama bottoms] Hey, whatever you’re comfortable with—that’s what it is. Like, your confidence is what you’re comfortable with.
M: Yeah, I mean of course if there’s an event or something then of course I’m gonna dress up but I’m more like comfy-comfy right now.
Business surprises
JCP: Since launching Ring of Color, what parts of business ownership has surprised you? Was it all stuff you saw coming [ie taxes]?
Melissa: [Taking a moment to think.] …Taxes are a pain.
[We laugh.]
M: I think one thing that surprised me is getting support from other businesses or other business owners. ‘Cause sometimes you think, Oh we’re in a competition. Which—sometimes is true—but we do get along. Like when we give shout outs to each other or we just buy our products—test our products, you know I think that part surprised me.
But it also surprised me the other side which is the not so supportive area but regardless you just keep pushing and whatever your passion is keep pushing, continue, because it doesn’t matter what other people say or think.
JCP: Thank you. Yeah, no that’s a great coincidence-answer to the question earlier—Have you been succeeding in what you wanted Ring of Color to be when you launched it—to form a community—and something that surprised you was the unexpected community in the business side of things so that’s wonderful to hear
Focusing on the now
JCP: Do you have anything new that’s coming in the future for Ring of Color like expanding past lips or any events?
M: Well, eventually my goal is to expand past other cosmetic products. But right now I want to continue doing lips. I want to do more lip care. I do want to do blush. That’s one of the things—’cause I’m obsessed with blush. But that will come and I do have things that I’ve been working on and formulas that I’m testing. But I don’t think those are going to come anytime soon. I think right now what I’m focusing on… Because one thing is I work nine to five I still have my full time job.
So I have three jobs. I have my full time job, and then I do counseling in the evenings because I’m a licensed counselor. And I do Ring of Color with the time that I have. I feel like I’m carrying a lot right now. But, Ring of Color is what I really want to do and taking my experience as a counselor because it’s empowering people and because we’re talking about confidence; I feel like those can carry each other together.
But moving forward, the goal right now is focusing is on brand awareness. I’m focusing on talking about the brand, focusing on sharing about the brand, focusing on looking for more good places I can showcase the brand. Like right now I’m working at [App] which is like this upcoming app which is owned by QVC and I’m working on getting on Walmart dot com to their online marketplace.I mean, the goal at the end of the day is to be on shelves and be in a Sephora or Ulta but right now I’m just working on creating brand awareness so people know who we are. Because they still don’t know who we are but we’re getting there.
JCP: Have you expanded into smaller retail spots yet?
Melissa: I used to be at Pack Elephant which is like this local place that used to be downtown in Grand Rapids but they unfortunately closed last year. But that was the only retail, physical space that I had. Oh, actually I recently was on Ipsy for the month of March and April with their add-on program. So that was a big deal.
JCP: Oh yeah! I did see that on Instagram and I was like, Look at her! There she goes!
On dedicating time for her business
Going back to my list [of questions}, So how do you keep your balance between being a business owner, employee, and Melissa (since you shared that you’re still working the 9–5, and then counseling in the evenings and of course running Ring of Color)?
Melissa: I have to be… [pauses] I was gonna say I have to be very organized. But in reality, [begins laughing] I’m not as organized as I should be. Whenever I have some free time that I am able to dedicate to Ring of Color… Because weekends is just Ring of Color. Either creating content business or figuring business stuff it’s always Ring of Color. And then during the week, yeah I work during the week but then after I come home I have a couple of hours. Even during my lunch time. During my lunch time if I have like business meetings or I have to do something I use my lunch, or whatever break I have, you know, it’s just a matter of me trying to find space in my day to dedicate. It is a lot. It’s hard and it’s a lot of work. But I think I keep doing it because of my goal list expanding and reaching more people so they can learn more about Ring of Color.
Melissa’s choice for relaxation? Video gaming
JCP: Thank you. [Stupid Inarticulate question] Do you do any hobbies outside of Ring of Color? Or, how do you unwind? You answered that very work motivated which I love because I mean, that’s how you were able to scale Ring of Color to how it is right now.
Melissa: Well one thing that I do to unwind: I like playing video games. Since I was little, I’ve liked playing video games. And my boyfriend is a gamer. So now I have even more games at home. So I think that’s one part of me that people don’t see. I play video games. I still watch Disney movies. I just like whatever makes me feel happy. That’s what I do to unwind. Or if it’s like watching a ‘chick flick’ or just listening to music…
JCP: It’s good to intentionally have lighthearted things to balance out… So what console do you use for gaming?
Melissa: Right now the one game I’m playing a lot right now is on XBOX and it’s the Disney Dreamlight Valley. I laugh because it’s a Disney game but it’s kind of like Animal Crossing with Disney characters. And you have your own little avatar and you have to save them from this evil thing in the valley and you have to rescue all the characters. It’s fun.
JCP: That sounds cute. I’ve recently been playing Undertale. I’m not a gamer myself but I was like, Oh this is like Pokemon but it’s all super nice. You ‘fight’ with kindness. [Flips paper. Promises interview will end soon.] How did you come up with ‘Celebrating you through beauty’?
Melissa: Celebrating you through beauty: it’s like celebrating you through the power of color and what I mean by that is how I experience loving myself through makeup and playing with makeup and realizing I don’t have to cover anything to be me. Because makeup, usually, you just wear for fun and you use it to enhance what you already have. So it’s celebrating you through color and reminding you that you are great the way that you are, you know, you don’t need to change anything. You just need to enhance it, right? So like, bring it up that’s what it means.
JCP: Thank you. Which products have you been reaching for recently? Or do you switch it up? Do you change it [??] through the seasons?
Melissa: Like for the brand, or anything?
JCP: Anything.
Melissa: I’ve been reaching out a lot for blush and mascara. So usually when I wear makeup that’s what I wear; I do either blush, mascara, and then like a light lip product and then brow gel. One thing that I do for fun, too—with everything that I have going on—:D I create beauty content. So I’m always testing new products. That’s fun for me. That’s what I mainly reach out for. Lip products being a lip gloss or a lip oil and then mascara and brow gel. And blush.
JCP: Thank you! Thank you so much for speaking with me, Melissa. I wish you the the best of luck with Ring of Color. I’m stopping the recording now.
[Interview ends. I drove home with the confidence that my gas tank was no longer on E (both inspired by Melissa and because I finally stopped at a gas station). The afternoon sun was parting through humid skies. The rain had let up.]
Learn more about Melissa Polanco, her beauty and lifestyle brand Ring of Color, join the community of inclusive makeup lovers at RingofColor.com Also on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.
Catsup’s Editor, JCP, with Ring of Color Founder Melissa Polanco (pictured right). Photo from May 2024.
Acknowledgments
This business feature post has not been sponsored. Thank you, Melissa Polanco, for granting me this interview! Representation is important and I am glad to be inspired by a Latina entrepreneur such as yourself.
If you are interested in Advertising at Catsup, feel free to send an email. As an online lifestyle and art collective, Catsup serves as a platform for underrepresented creatives and their work.
Are you an artist, or have an idea to share? Contributions are open (free to submit) for feature article consideration.
Compensation for Catsup contributors will be available in the future (you can support us by donating here), but please enjoy Catsup’s publicly available content including plant based recipes, language career advice, web design tips, and other original content completely free at CatsupMagazine.com.
During our spring interview meeting, Melissa surprised me with a Ring of Color goodie bag. I had previously shared my love of the Truffle lippie which I purchased May 18, 2023 after approaching her business (pop up) stand where I first learned about Melissa and her brand.
This article was first transcribed and published September of 2024. Anyone else have a job hunting/existentialism (pronounced ‘brat‘) summer?
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Thank you Melissa Polanco for sharing your story, brand vision, product, and inspiring me to keep growing through career changes (and makeup experimentation). Truffle has worked for me as a long standing lipstick (it lasts a whole eight hour shift), stain (you’ll need to reapply after eating/drinking if you want it to stay glossy), and confidence booster as an interpreter, office worker, shopkeeper, magazine editor-writer, and…
